Re: Im going to my rheumy next month...

[Guest guest]

Hi

I would find a new doctor. It seems that so many of them think that if you are

young you can't possibly be in that much pain. We all know thats not true.

I am 52 and am in the process of starting a new career within the next couple of

months. The old one is too hard on my body. That might be something to look at,

and possibly something with good insurance. I have been lucky my husband is

covered at work as I have never worked anywhere that had it. Just a couple of

thoughts. I have had good luck with tramadol and plaquinel along with cymbalta.

I think I would be feeling much better if not for my jobwhich is pretty

physical. Is your job hard on your body. That could be really standing in your

way too. Hope this helps. Geez I am rereading this and I sound like a bossy old

mother. (which I am).

Much luck

Carol

[Guest guest]

Hey carol, yes I'm a dental hygienist and starting having health problems when I

was in school for it, and was finally diagnosed a month after I graduated so I

just recently started this career and love and I don't really want to give it up

right now or change. I'm being stubborn but I do know I can not do this forever

but I just can't imagine going back to school, not with how I feel everyday

anyways. Its just hard because no one in my life understand what I'm going

through, they are supportive but can't truely understand. I want to find

medicine that works but I havnt and I'm impatient. They also dx me with

fibromyalgia when they hear that the ra medicine doesn't help my neck, but I

tried cymbalta and that just gives me more migraines and even more tired, I

don't know if there is anything I can take or do for more energy or if something

else is wrong that they don't know. Thanks for your advice though, hope you are

doing well and good luck with your new career!

>

>

> Hi

> I would find a new doctor. It seems that so many of them think that if you are

young you can't possibly be in that much pain. We all know thats not true.

> I am 52 and am in the process of starting a new career within the next couple

of months. The old one is too hard on my body. That might be something to look

at, and possibly something with good insurance. I have been lucky my husband is

covered at work as I have never worked anywhere that had it. Just a couple of

thoughts. I have had good luck with tramadol and plaquinel along with cymbalta.

I think I would be feeling much better if not for my jobwhich is pretty

physical. Is your job hard on your body. That could be really standing in your

way too. Hope this helps. Geez I am rereading this and I sound like a bossy old

mother. (which I am).

> Much luck

> Carol

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I agree with Carol that you may need to find a better Doc who will listen to

you. I am a high positive RA and they are still trying to get my meds right

after 2 years. The only med I have tried so far that has helped both the RA

and fatigue is Arava. I am also on a tight single family income so my Doc

works with me to find low cost generics or supplemental medical company

plans so I can take the meds I need. My doc just added Embrel to my Arava

(Leflunomide) because despite the Arava giving me alot of relief it has not

brought my blood factor down enough or completely brought down the stiffness

I also take an anti depressant to help give me more up time as the

constant pain can wear you down more than you realize till you find yourself

snapping at ever little thing. For the days nothing keeps the flares from

comming I have hydrocodone 10/325 and make sure they give me the yellow

colored pills as it doesn't cause the stomach upset that the white ones the

pharmacy usually gives you does.

I have tried the metheltrexate (pills and shots) but they upset my tummy and

caused me to sleep or nod off unexpectantly ( hubby found this very funny)

lol. I have also tried Humira but that was a no go with odd side effects. I

think we tried 4 differant anti depressants before we got that right as well

I know there was one other RA med we tried but for the life of me I can't

remember what it was at the moment. I am one of those odd people that can

take hydrocodone or benedryl and function just fine so I have the option of

taking my pain meds and still keep up with the kids. The other thing I have

read in some of the groups I have joined is that you might want to have them

check your thyroid levels and your vitamin B levels as both can cause the

fatigue as well. Now if I could find something to help with the brain fog I

would be a happy woman. Not good for the joints if I have to make 20 trips

thru the house just to remember what I went to the back of the house to get

in the first place lol.

I hope you find some relief real soon and don't ever give up because your

answers are out there it just may take time to find them. Remember to never

give up fighting and pushing your doc because if you don't they won't work

as hard to find the right answer.

God Bless,

Jeanette in Houston,TX

[Guest guest]

, why don't you ask him about methotrexate. It has been in use a

long time and is one of the tried and true medications for RA. There

are some possible side effects, but that doesn't mean that you will

get any of them. It could be worth a try. It's also inexpensive.

Sue

On Jan 5, 2011, at 7:35 AM, sarah_70098 wrote:

> Hey everyone, I'm going to my rheumy next month and I need advice on

> how to talk to them and actually get some answers. I'm currently

> taking minocycline (which isn't working, atleast not yet) and wanted

> to know what drugs I could possibly ask for that might help? I was

> on plaquenel for over a year and that didn't work, I also took

> sulfasaline with no results also. All my dr ever tells me to do is

> workout which I do everyday, even though I'm exhausted from the

> minute I wake up, I'm only 24 and struggle to work all week but I

> know I have many years ahead of me. I don't know if the dr sees my

> age and thinks I'm fine but I'm in constant pain..mainly my neck but

> now my knees hurt. I tell them I have neck pain 9 out of 10 and I

> don't get any advice or options to help get some energy. If anyone

> has any tips or what kind of medicine I should suggest it would be

> greatly appreciated. I also have terrible insurance and rx cost a

> lot. Thanks everyone for listening, I'm just scared if I'm already

> in this much pain this young...